Chronic migratory erythema is a rash that appears in the early stages of Lyme disease, but not in all cases. It consists of a red, partially raised area with a central clearing that radiates from the location of the bite. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. Treatment with antibiotics can prevent the spread of the bacteria.
Chronic migratory erythema is a characteristic rash seen in many patients during the early stages of Lyme disease, immediately following the initial infection. The rash consists of a red, partially raised area with a central clearing that radiates from the location of the bite. This rash is a vital diagnostic sign for doctors diagnosing their patients, although it’s important to remember that it doesn’t appear in all cases of Lyme disease. People in areas where this tick-borne disease is common should see a doctor if they develop a rash that resembles chronic migrans.
This rash can develop hours to days after a bite, depending on the case. It starts with a small red raised bump where the tick bit the patient. A whitish area may surround this bump and is surrounded by redness. Part of the reddened area may be raised in some patients. Also known as bulls-eye rash due to its distinctive visual appearance, this rash can occur anywhere on the body.
One problem with chronic migratory rash is that because people expect to see a round rash in cases of Lyme disease, they may not recognize it for what it is when it appears. In some patients, the rash looks more like a band than a ring, or the rash may be partially hidden by body hair. Ticks will sometimes bite the scalp, and the rash won’t be visible if the patient has hair, and the groin is another common location for bites, and the rash may be obscured by pubic hair.
Along with a chronic migrating erythema rash, a patient may also develop other symptoms. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes observed together with headache and fatigue. The rash fades with time and the patient may begin to develop joint problems, susceptibility to infections, extreme tiredness, and a host of other symptoms. If the rash wasn’t spotted when it first appeared, a doctor may have difficulty diagnosing a patient with Lyme symptoms, unless the patient is seeking treatment in an area where the disease is common. or with a doctor who has seen numerous Lyme patients.
Treatments are available for Lyme, including treatments to manage symptoms. Antibiotics given at the onset of chronic migrating erythema can prevent the spread of the causative bacteria, preventing symptoms from occurring later. Patients with chronic infections can be treated with a variety of medications, depending on the symptoms they experience. Doctors treating Lyme patients use many different approaches, drawing on their experience with the disease and the latest published information to make the best treatment decisions for their patients.
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